Crown of Compassion

[...] we should not be tempted, but that we should not be brought [or led] into temptation.” Pastor Keller notes, however, that “temptation in the sense of being tried and tested is not only inevitable [...]

[...] book by Timothy Keller, founder and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City.  Pastor Keller introduces the book by emphasizing that any book on the essentials of prayer must treat all [...]

[...] a refuge.  Poet George Herbert states that prayer is a “sinner’s towre”.  Pastor Keller explains that means “prayerful dependence on Jesus is our only refuge from [...]

[...] , Christ-mediated prayer: to simply know Him better and enjoy His presence.  Pastor Keller notes this stands in stark contrast to the normal ways we use prayer: 1.  In [...]

[...] -edge sword . . .”- Hebrews 4:12 In Chapter 4 (“Conversing with God”) of Prayer, Timothy Keller states that as a gift of the Holy Spirit, prayer becomes a continuation of a [...]

[...] “The bad son was lost in his badness, but the good son was lost in his goodness.”- Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God Kyle Idleman continues Chapter 13 of AHA with two descriptions of what an [...]

[...] ‘Seek his face.’  Your face, Lord, will I seek.”- Psalm 27:8 In Chapter 11 of Prayer, Timothy Keller writes that when we speak to someone, we address the person to his or her face.  Thus, [...]

[...] In Chapter 9 (“The Touchstones of Prayer”) of his book Prayer, Timothy Keller writes about twelve touchstones of prayer.  Pastor Keller states we can use those twelve [...]

[...] sins were made public, specifically our outbursts of anger toward those responsible for our vocation loss, we would scream for God to have mercy on us.  Max notes that we’d feel a fraction of what [...]

[...] unforgiveness and vengeance toward those responsible for our ministry downsizing or vocation loss.  Until our famine really comes, we tend to put off any action- in the mistaken belief [...]

[...] blessing of meditation is missing from your life following your ministry downsizing or vocation loss?  Please share. Tomorrow’s blog: “Christian meditation” The post Meditation concerning [...]

[...] us. Today’s question: What has enabled you to honestly assess your response to your vocation loss?  Please share. Tomorrow’s blog: “Overwhelming Positive Passion” The post Fake [...]

[...] food and water.  Because the path is hard and dry, the seeds don’t have a chance.  Pastor Ortberg states that often these seeds are people who have experienced hurt or [...]

[...] author and long-time professor of philosophy at USC.  Soul Keeping is based on what Pastor Ortberg learned over the years as he sought Dallas’ wisdom in understanding the human soul. [...]

[...] man or woman on the street is asked to explain exactly what the word soul means, Pastor Ortberg states that the following questions might arise: 1.  Why should I pay attention to [...]

[...] ’s appearance didn’t give him away, his voice did.  And when he sang, Pastor Lucado was emboldened to sing his best. There’s no person Jesus won’t touch.  A friend of Pastor [...]

[...] .  David seduced Bathsheba. Why, then, did Jesus air his dirty laundry?  Because, Pastor Lucado notes, Jesus wants us to know, “I’ve been there.”  Physically, as Isaiah states, [...]

[...] worked all night and caught nothing.  He’d experienced a hard day’s night. Pastor Lucado observes that we all have worn, wet, empty nets: “You’ve felt what Peter felt. [...]

[...] hope.  Distant solutions ever beyond reach.  This is the wilderness of the soul.” Pastor Lucado notes that while some of us know a geographical desert wilderness, all of us know [...]

[...] into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul.”- Genesis 2:7 Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You is the most recent book from author and [...]

[...] because it hurts.”- Douglas Coupland, The Gum Thief John Ortberg concludes Chapter 1 of Soul Keeping by observing that we speak of the soul as a source of strength, yet we also speak of [...]

[...] not made to be self-sufficient.”- Dallas Willard In Chapter 2 (“What is the Soul?”) of Soul Keeping, John Ortberg states that because our inner life is invisible, it is easy to neglect.  [...]

[...] by the Spirit is life and peace.”- Romans 8:6 John Ortberg continues Chapter 2 of Soul Keeping by discussing Dallas Willard’s understanding of the “parts” of the inner life, all [...]

[...] its focus on the older son, who has not appeared sin the opening sentence of the parable. As Pastor Idleman notes, the older son never left his father, broke any rules, or went to a distant country.  [...]

[...] the best place to be if that’s what it takes for us to experience AHA. It is never too late.  Pastor Idleman states that if ever there was someone who thought it was too late, it was one of the two [...]

[...] , Kentucky.  Kyle bases this book on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15).  Pastor Idleman emphasizes that AHA is the antithesis of a self-help book.  While we are aware [...]

[...] time seeing themselves as someone in need of AHA. 1.  Critical of others’ sins.  Pastor Idleman states that older brothers frequently focus on the flaws of others, unwilling to [...]